Mohammed bin Zayed praises Bill Gates' efforts and contributions in the humanitarian fields

Abu Dhabi, Oct 11, 2012 (WAM) - His Highness Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces attended a lecture delivered by Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill '&' Melinda Gates Foundation on "Catalytic philanthropy: changing the world through giving". Sheikh Mohammed paid homage to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who had always been calling for helping people without looking to their religion, race or creed. He recalled Sheikh Zayed's values and vision about the need to extend helping hands to the needy people wherever they are and regardless of their ethnic backgrounds or beliefs. He also praised Bill Gates' efforts and contributions in the humanitarian fields. "I have learnt that Bill Gates is active in three countries where polio is spreading. He pledged US$ 2 billion to fight that disease in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is a noble scheme and we are fortunate to take part in it. I thank him for this initiative and I appreciate his persistence in overcoming all difficulties to reach his noble goals," he said. Bill Gates started his lecture by shedding light on his early days, saying computers were his passion and how he dreamt of programmes that would enable more interaction and creativity among people. He said that in 2008, he decided to start a new full time career through Bill '&' Melinda Gates Foundation and then he and his friend Warren Buffett agreed that it was time to seriously engage in charity and humanitarian work. Bill Gates said he was proud of the partnership made in 2011 with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to provide life saving vaccines to children in Afghanistan and Pakistan to prevent diseases, particularly polio which was responsible for rendering 300,000 children disabled every year until the world decided in 1988 to eradicate it. "His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and I spoke yesterday about the need to continue this successful partnership. I am very excited that His Highness has shown commitment to this partnership." Bill Gates also cited statistics about polio fatalities among children less than five years of age. "Our foundation spent US$15 billion to treat children in poor countries," he said. He added that around 7 million children die every year because of cholera and malaria. He referred to the cooperation of the UAE and the USA in providing vaccines for the diseases which contributed remarkably in reducing fatalities. He also revealed that the foundation spent US$ 500 million to improve agricultural systems and to help farmers beat poverty and hunger. Bill Gates said it was important to nurture youth who are considered "the best investment for any country in the world." "Investment starts from one's own self. If you have a passion in a certain field, all you have to do is to develop your skills in that field to become an expert. You can also start a company like I did when I founded Microsoft which I was thinking of selling but I didn't." "You are lucky to have all these excellent universities in Abu Dhabi. It is important to support education to create jobs especially in the private sectors." He concluded by saying that he founded his foundation on the same principles of Microsoft. "Our foundation has around 1,000 employees with specialised teams for each charity scheme." – Emirates News Agency, WAM